Practices

Honigman continues growth trend, advising in more than 180 corporate transactions in 2014

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Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP announced today that the firm was counsel on more than 180 corporate transactions that closed in 2014, once again topping the previous year’s total as the firm’s national reputation and client base continues to grow. The total value of transactions came in at an impressive $13.9 billion, a significant gain on 2013’s $8.2 billion from 150 transactions.

Based in Michigan, Honigman’s nationally recognized corporate Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice once again recorded strong growth with 103 transactions totaling more than $8 billion. Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) Practices also fared well, continuing to be the choice of high-profile clients nationwide. The firm’s most notable deal in 2014 was the purchase by Tribune Publishing, the parent of the Chicago Tribune, of all of the suburban properties of Sun-Times Media. The transaction brought 6 daily and 32 weekly suburban newspapers into the Tribune fold, bolstering circulation and revenue while significantly expanding its publishing footprint across the Chicago market, from Waukegan to northwest Indiana.

Additionally, Honigman guided its client BlackEagle Partners, LLC through 12 acquisitions –and one new platform investment - in 2014. These deals built out BlackEagle’s platform company, US LBM Holdings, LLC, a distributor of building and construction materials to homebuilders, professional remodelers and specialty contractors operating out of 97 locations in 19 states.

“Honigman’s stellar growth in the size and number of corporate transactions is a true testament to the firm’s increased reputation as national leaders in this area,” said Donald J. Kunz, Honigman’s Corporate Department chair. “The depth of experience that the Corporate Department offers continues to make it the choice of companies across the US, and has helped it achieve a decade of year-on-year revenue increases.”

According to Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, a respected client and peer review publication, Honigman’s Corporate/M&A practice has ranked number one in Michigan since 2004. In 2014, Chambers stated that Honigman has a “strong M&A group recognized as a dynamic private equity practice with international scope, alongside sophisticated abilities in the fields of securities and corporate governance, venture capital and emerging technology. Particularly involved in significant middle-market transactions.”